7.13.2004 ET

(CSRwire) Atlanta - No more teachers, no more books ... it's time to send teens off to work! From July 12 - July 16, more than 1,000 Boys & Girls Club members will learn the nuances of an apparel retail career by participating in "Camp Old Navy," a job-shadowing program hosted by more than 100 Old Navy stores across the U.S. and Canada.

The program, now in its fifth year, is designed to help 13-18 year olds explore the diverse opportunities of a retail career. Camp Old Navy features a fun-filled day of behind-the-scenes operations at Old Navy stores and a chance for teens to work side-by-side with store employees and managers. Over the past five years, more than 5,000 Boys & Girls Club members have participated in this program, gaining invaluable, hands-on-experience in the retail environment.

"From assisting in the stockroom to learning about merchandise management, career exploration and on-the-job-experience are the key components of Camp Old Navy," said Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Club of America. "This is a great opportunity for our teens to take the advice and skills learned through this experience and put them into action. Regardless of where their career paths take them, the Club members come away from Camp Old Navy with a better understanding of important job skills as customer service and punctuality."

Camp Old Navy is an outgrowth of the CareerLaunch program, a career-oriented initiative created in partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Gap Foundation. Through a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment from Gap Foundation, CareerLaunch provides a full range of career exploration and job skills experiences for teens. The program is designed to encourage interaction between teens - especially those from disadvantaged circumstances - and concerned adults who serve as "career coaches" to provide real-life role models for youth to learn skills and potential career opportunities.

"The time and attention of our Old Navy employees are among the best resources we can offer Boys & Girls Club members," said Dotti Hatcher, vice president, Gap Foundation and Community Relations. "This fun in-store program offers our employees the opportunity to interact with the teens in their communities. This initial relationship often grows into a longer-term commitment, as employees mentor and guide Club members on building on career exploration skills, making the right educational choices and preparing for the workforce to ensure a successful future."

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of some 3,400 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than four million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.

About Gap Foundation
Since 1976, Gap Foundation - the charitable arm of Gap Inc. representing Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy - has spearheaded the company's community involvement efforts through grants, in-kind donations, community outreach and employee volunteer programs. The Foundation primarily supports organizations focused on children, youth and families.

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